Zakynthos: Greek Cooking Class & Lunch with Local Chef

Summary

Hands-on Greek recipes, island stories, and homemade lunch in Zakynthos

You’ll start your morning making Greek iced coffee or mountain tea before diving into hands-on recipes with a local chef in Zakynthos. Taste classic dishes like spinach pie and stiffado as you cook, hear island stories over lunch with wine, and leave with new skills plus full bellies. It’s relaxed, real, and surprisingly fun.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I nearly bailed on the Zakynthos cooking class when I realized it started with making my own iced coffee. I’m not exactly a kitchen person (my last attempt at baklava ended in a sugar disaster), but something about the way our local chef, Maria, handed me the little jar of coffee made me laugh and just go for it. The clink of ice cubes against glass and that first bitter sip — it was like a tiny wake-up call that this wasn’t going to be some stiff demonstration. It felt like we were just friends hanging out in someone’s kitchen.

We got our hands messy right away. Maria showed us how to layer spinach and feta into filo for the pie, her fingers moving fast while she told us about her grandmother’s garden up in the hills. There was this smell — warm olive oil and fresh dill — that stuck to my hands all morning. Someone asked about the history of stiffado (I’d never even heard of it before), and suddenly we were talking about Venetian traders and why Zakynthian tomatoes taste different. It’s funny how food turns into history lessons without you even noticing.

The best part? Tasting everything as we went along — salty cheese dip on crusty bread, sneaking bites of orange cake before it cooled down (Maria pretended not to see). We sat down together for lunch with local wine, sunlight slanting through the windows, everyone comparing whose dolmades were wonkier. I still think about that salad — so simple but somehow perfect after all the chopping and laughing. Honestly, by the end I didn’t want to leave; it felt more like Sunday at a friend’s house than any “tour.”

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Greek cooking class with local dishes

• Start with iced coffee or mountain tea
• Make Stiffado beef casserole
• Prepare spinach and feta pie
• Make dolmades and spicy cheese dip
• Prepare Greek salad and tsatsiki
• Bake traditional orange cake
• Enjoy tasting wines and local products
• Listen to stories about Zakynthos culture

Top questions

What dishes do you learn to make in the Zakynthos cooking class?

You’ll make Greek classics like stiffado (beef stew), spinach & feta pie, dolmades, spicy cheese dip, orange cake, plus salads and more depending on the day.

Is lunch included in the Zakynthos cooking class?

Yes, a full homemade lunch is included along with complimentary wine.

Are drinks provided during the cooking class?

Water, juice, coffee or tea are available throughout the morning; wine is served at lunch.

Is this Greek cooking class wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas are wheelchair accessible including restrooms and entrances.

Can vegetarians join this Zakynthos cooking class?

Yes—there’s a Saturday vegetarian menu featuring stuffed tomatoes and courgette fritters.

Are children allowed at the cooking class?

Infants and small children can attend; prams or strollers are welcome.

How long does the Zakynthos Greek cooking class last?

The experience is half-day—typically running through late morning into early afternoon including lunch.

Is transportation provided for this activity?

No hotel pickup is included but public transport options are nearby; everything else takes place onsite.

What’s included

Your morning includes all drinks—coffee or mountain tea to start plus water and juice throughout—and ends with a full homemade lunch paired with complimentary local wine. The chef provides recipes to take home so you can try everything again later.